The Class of 2028’s Deepest Position: Running Back, Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Be sure to follow me on Twitter at</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/BrendanScoutsNJ">@BrendanScoutsNJ</a>&nbsp;<em>for the latest prospect-specific coverage both during the season and off-season.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>For my complete, comprehensive coverage for the class of 2028 rankings, scroll down the bottom of this article to read more!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Enjoy our newest rankings release by using promo code “mankarious30” for 30% off your first subscription to Prep Redzone New Jersey</em></strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of every graduating class there is one position group that shines the brightest and stands out amongst the rest. In our initial rankings from the class of 2028, running back happens to be that position group. See which backs I felt ought to be on your radar for this coming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Need-to-Know Running Backs</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1295599"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679117498a488"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1295599' first='Kenneth' last='Sharperson'] of Morristown might just be the right guy, in the right place, at the right time. Used as a receiver, returner, defensive back, and running back due to a senior-heavy class, Sharperson has speed to burn. He can hit top speed quickly after coming to a complete stop. A strong core is something else he possesses, as we see him absorb hits and keep upright in order to go for more yards. Shiftiness its a part of his game too, which translates to Sharperson getting really good breaks on the ball. We see Sharperson appear to read patterns and have some twitch on film. Strong for his frame and age, he follows blockers well and can carry defenders on his back. With a senior or two graduating out of the Colonial's backfield and how much they run the ball, I expect Sharperson to move full time to running back and get the lion's share of carries this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1467533"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679117498a4eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A prospect that is one component of Franklin's youth-lead renaissance is [player_tooltip player_id='1467533' first='Michael' last='Rogers']. Rodgers has balance and is strong enough to de-shackle himself from weak or poor tackles. It is though for me to truly judge his speed, however. On film it appears that he has a second gear, but Franklin's OSI is not the greatest. As Rodgers enters and exits the line of scrimmage, I want to see him lower his pad level. Doing so will allow him to break more tackles, fall forward, and protect the ball - something he does do by switching the ball to his outside arm when he gets to the perimeter. With his size, Rodgers will lower his shoulder and bowl people over. Regardless, this back has a combination of balance and power that makes him an interesting prospect and the first true, power back in his class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["901239"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-679117498a531"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Warning: object may be slippery when wet. That is what comes to mind when I watch [player_tooltip player_id='1597985' first='Zaire' last='Burgess']' tape. Burgess is hard for defenses to truly get their arms around as he weaves in-and-out of trouble. All the while, he does not lose sight of his blockers as he uses them to set up defenders and take liberties with big lanes. Burgess is a hard runner who makes hard, sharp cuts that forces defenders to fall off of him. Strong for his size, Burgess has shown to carry a pile as well. Quick feet and shifty hips allow him to change direction with ease and without lsoing speed. We do not see him ever get tackled and chased from behind; however, we need to see him as a pass catcher and protector. I am left to wonder how big of a special teams piece Burgess might be and what is correct size listing is - this will have a big factor as to whether or not he will play running back in college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Class of 2028 Rankings Release</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-114-101">Ranking Notes, Player #114-101</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-100-91">Ranking Notes, Player #100-91</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-90-89">Ranking Notes, Player #90-81</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-80-71">Ranking Notes, Player #80-71</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-70-61">Ranking Notes, Player #70-6</a>1<br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-60-51/">Ranking Notes, Player #60-51</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-50-41">Ranking Notes, Player #50-41</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-40-31/">Ranking Notes, Player #40-31</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-30-21">Ranking Notes, Player #30-21</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-20-11">Ranking Notes, Player #20-11</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-10-6">Ranking Notes, Player #10-6</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/2028-rankings-update-scouts-notes-for-players-5-1">Ranking Notes, Player #5-1</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/watchlist-wonders-prospects-i-demand-film-on-2028-rankings-i">Watchlist Prospects of Note, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/watchlist-wonders-prospects-i-demand-film-on-2028-rankings-ii">Watchlist Prospects of Note, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-i">My Favorite Films, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-ii">My Favorite Films, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-iii">My Favorite Films, Part III</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-iv">My Favorite Films, Part IV</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-iv">My Favorite Films, Part V</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-vi">My Favorite Films, Part VI</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-vii">My Favorite Films, Part VII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-viii">My Favorite Films, Part VIII</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/favorite-films-tape-that-impressed-me-2028-rankings-part-ix">My Favorite Films, Part IX</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/the-class-of-2028s-deepest-position-running-back-part-i">The Deepest Position Group: Running Backs, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/01/the-class-of-2028s-deepest-position-running-back-part-ii">The Deepest Position Group: Running Backs, Part II</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->